BEMIDJI -- One game stands between the Bemidji Lumberjacks and their first trip to the Class 2A state tournament since 1986.
Section 8-2A's top-seeded Lumberjacks (22-3-2) defeated No. 5 Brainerd 6-0 in a physical section semifinal Saturday to earn a chance to end the streak.
"Getting to this point has been our goal all season," said Bemidji goalie Grant Tharaldson. "Now we have to go get it done and make it back (to state) for the first time since '86."
The Warriors, who finished 9-17-1 in head coach Dave Aus' first season at Brainerd, came out strong after defeating No. 4 Buffalo 5-2 in Tuesday's quarterfinals as they put some pressure on Bemidji.
But Tharaldson denied every opportunity until the Lumberjacks found the net.
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"It's a playoff game and everyone was a little jacked," said Bemidji coach Wade Chiodo. "It was (physical) ... the thing is you can't let it take control of your game."
At the 9:46 mark in the first, Brainerd was given a two-minute penalty for too many men on the ice.
Bemidji took advantage a minute later when Nick Leitner rebounded a shot and found the back of the net.
"We gave up a silly penalty and then gave up one," said Aus. "Before you know it, it's 3-0 and these guys are good."
Later in the first, Jack Johnson got the puck, skated to coast-to-coast only to wraparound the net and find Josh Lusby open to make it 2-0 at the 15:04 mark.
The scoring didn't stop there as Erik Fitzgerald scored with 28 seconds left.
"After we got that power-play goal, we really kicked it into second gear," Chiodo said. "We played really good in the second period and in the third we were trying to eat up time and get the win."
The Lumberjacks kept piling it on in the second period, starting with a goal from Johnson at the 2:20 mark.
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It wasn't until late in the second that they struck again with Rocky Copiskey scoring at 13:44.
Brady Tatro tallied with 33 seconds left in the period.
"After the first period we went up 3-0 and we were killing them," Tharaldson said. "It helps a lot, I mean, it's not often you get a three-point lead. It was a good effort by the boys."
While Bemidji continued to score, Tharaldson continued to deny the Warriors any hope of a comeback.
The senior finished with 17 saves and his fifth shutout of the season.
"I'm really happy with the boys," Tharaldson said. "We're coming together and playing our game."
Bemidji heads to Thief River Falls to play No. 2 Moorhead which defeated No. 3 Roseau 4-0 in the other semifinal at Moorhead. The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The Warriors won't be playing any more hockey but Aus is encouraged about Brainerd's future.
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"We're excited about what's coming back," he said. "We'll be better next year and we have our MVP (goalie Brady Mick) back."
Brainerd 0 0 0 - 0
Bemidji 3 3 0 - 6
First Period: Bem, Nick Leitner (Jake. Leitner, Michael Forseth) ppg 9:46; Bem, Josh Lusby (Jack Johnson) 15:04; Bem, Erik Fitzgerald (Jaret Lalli, Brady Tatro) 16:32.
Second Period: Bem, Johnson (Matthew Gregg, N. Leitner) 2:21; Bem, Rocky Copiskey (Lalli) 13:44; Bem, Tatro (Copiskey, Noah Nei) 16:27.
Third Period: No scoring.
Shots on goal: Brd 7-6-4-17; Bem 15-18-8-41.
Goalies: Brd, Brady Mick (35 saves); Bem, Grant Tharaldson (17 saves)
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Overall: Brainerd finishes 9-17-1.
